JP7320534B2 - Apparatus and method for processing glass sheets - Google Patents

Description

Related application

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. Cited in the book.

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for processing glass sheets. More particularly, it relates to apparatus and methods for removing peripheral portions away from central portions of glass sheets, such as removing bead regions from vertically oriented glass sheets.

In a typical glass manufacturing system, various raw ingredients or batch materials are introduced or "thrown" into a melting furnace. The batch material melts to form a viscous molten material that can be flowed into the molding section of the system. A viscous molten material forms a glass as it cools.

The manufacture of glass sheets or other glass articles by melting raw materials is known. In one such process, known as the fusion process, the molten glass overflows over the rim of a vessel within the forming body. The separate streams rejoin or merge at the bottom of the forming body to form a continuous ribbon of glass. Separate glass sheets are then separated (eg, cut) from the glass ribbon. In general, avoid direct contact with the central region of the major surface of the as-formed glass sheet. Instead, only the peripheral portion of the glass sheet is exposed to direct contact with hard surfaces such as edge rolls, pull rolls, edge guide rolls, and the like. Thus, for example, the peripheral portions (sometimes referred to as "beads" or "humps") on both sides of a glass sheet obtained directly from the forming apparatus at the lowest part of the draw of a fused underdraw or slot underdraw process have a lower surface quality than the central region. tend to have Additionally, the peripheral portion tends to have a different thickness and greater thickness variation than the central region, depending on the particular forming equipment used.

In many instances, the peripheral portion is separated from the central region of the glass sheet. This can be done to remove the beads and bring the central region to a desired size or shape or the like. Conventionally, score lines, vents, or scribe lines are made near the perimeter of the glass sheet (eg, mechanically scored, lasered, etc.). Following the scoring, the separation between the peripheral portion and the central region is achieved along the scribe line by, for example, engaging the peripheral portion and bending around a nosing bar on the major surface of the glass sheet opposite the scribe line. The peripheral portion is separated from the central region by occurring at

During the perimeter separation and removal operations, the glass sheets are oriented in a particular orientation (eg, vertical, horizontal, etc.) depending on the particular glass sheet manufacturing system used. For mass production processing of vertically oriented glass sheets, the separating and removing apparatus typically includes a vacuum cup assembly or clamping bar assembly along with a scoring apparatus. A vacuum cup or clamping rod assembly is first attached to the peripheral portion to be removed, followed by the action of forming the score line of the scoring device. A vacuum cup or clamping rod assembly is then actuated to bend the attached peripheral portion, followed by breaking or separating the peripheral portion from the central region along the score line. This approach controls the peripheral portion during the separation process and advantageously prevents the separated peripheral portion from contacting the central region (e.g., if the separated peripheral portion free-falls immediately after separation due to gravity, the separation may occur). The exposed peripheral portion may contact and damage the central region). Although widely accepted, some concerns arise. For example, a vacuum cup or clamping rod assembly can induce deformation stresses in the glass sheet, which can cause inconsistent notching and/or separation. If vacuum cups are used, additional cycle time is required to create the required vacuum pressure at the glass sheet surface. Also, the vacuum cup must be replaced frequently (e.g., due to hot gases, heavy use, scratches from broken glass sheets), and the peripheral area may be larger than desired to accommodate the size of the vacuum cup. may be required to have

Accordingly, alternative apparatus and methods are disclosed herein for processing glass sheets, for example, to separate and remove peripheral portions from a central region of a glass sheet.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for removing peripheral portions of glass sheets. When received, the glass sheet has a first major surface opposite the second major surface, a first side edge surface opposite the second side edge surface, and a third side edge opposite the fourth side edge surface. have a surface. Each said side edge surface connects said first major surface and said second major surface. The glass sheet is oriented, for example, by clamping the first and second major surfaces near a third side edge surface. A score line is formed in the first major surface extending from proximate the third side edge surface to proximate the fourth side edge surface. The score line defines a boundary between a central region and a peripheral portion of the glass sheet. The peripheral portion is defined between the score line and the first side edge surface. A series of steps is then performed. First, the push bar is moved toward the backup bar assembly so that the push bar contacts the first major surface along the peripheral portion. In this regard, prior to movement of the pusher bar, the pusher bar is spaced from the first major surface and the backup bar assembly is positioned opposite the pusher bar with respect to the glass sheet and on the second surface. Spaced from the major surface. The push bar is then moved further in the direction to separate the peripheral portion from the central region. The push bar is then further moved in the direction to capture the separated peripheral portion between the push bar and the backup bar assembly. In the method of the present disclosure, the peripheral portion is optionally unrestrained during formation of the score line. In some embodiments, the predetermined orientation comprises the glass sheet in a generally vertical orientation. In some embodiments, the backup bar assembly comprises an engagement surface and the method includes advancing the push bar to pivot the separated peripheral portion about the engagement surface.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for removing peripheral portions away from a central region of a glass sheet. The glass sheet has a first major surface opposite a second major surface. The removal device includes a support device, a cutting device, a force application device, and a backup bar assembly. A support device is adapted to place the glass sheet in a predetermined orientation having a primary retaining plane. A scoring device is adapted to form a score line in said first major surface defining a boundary between said peripheral portion and said central region. The force applicator comprises a push rod. The backup bar assembly has a first engagement surface. In the start-of-cycle state of the removal device, the push rod and the first engagement surface are positioned on opposite sides of the main retaining plane. The force applying device moves the push rod toward the first engagement surface and sequentially applies a pushing force to the push rod to the first main surface at the peripheral portion to extend the peripheral portion to the cut line. and then contacting the separated peripheral portion with the first engagement surface and then capturing the separated peripheral portion between the push rod and the backup rod assembly. is suitable for In some embodiments, the backup bar assembly further includes a second engagement surface spaced from the first engagement surface, and is aligned between the first engagement surface and the major retention plane. The vertical distance is less than the distance between the second engagement surface and the main retaining plane perpendicular to the main retaining plane. In some embodiments, the cutting device, force applicator and backup bar assembly are such that the backup position of the first engagement surface relative to the primary retaining plane is the cutting position of the cutting device and the force applicator. is between the push positions.

Yet other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for making glass sheet articles. The method includes forming a glass ribbon and separating a glass sheet from the glass ribbon. The glass sheet is delivered to a removal device. The removal device is operated to place the glass sheet in a predetermined orientation and to form a score line in the first major surface of the glass sheet. The score line defines a boundary between a central region and a peripheral portion of the glass sheet. The peripheral portion is defined between the score line and the side edge surface of the glass sheet. A series of steps are then performed. First, the push bar is moved toward the backup bar assembly so that the push bar contacts the first major surface along the peripheral portion. The push bar is spaced from the first major surface prior to movement of the push bar, and the backup bar assembly is located on the opposite side of the glass sheet from the push bar and on the second side of the glass sheet. Spaced from the major surface. The push bar is then moved further in the direction to separate the peripheral portion from the central region. The push bar is then further moved in the direction to capture the separated peripheral portion between the push bar and the backup bar assembly. After removal of the peripheral portion, the central region constitutes the glass sheet article.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the following detailed description and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or otherwise described herein, including the following detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings. It will be recognized by practicing the embodiments.

It is understood that both the above general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the attributes and characteristics of the claimed subject matter. should be understood. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operation of the claimed subject matter.

1 is a simplified front view of a glass sheet having a central region and two bead regions that may undergo perimeter removal in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; FIG. 1B is a simplified end view of the glass sheet of FIG. 1A; FIG. 1B is a simplified front view of the glass sheet of FIG. 1A, showing peripheral portions that may be removed, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is a schematic example of a side view of a removal device in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure loaded with glass sheets; FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a front view of a removal device in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure loaded with a glass sheet; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps for removing a peripheral portion of a glass sheet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 5 is a simplified end view of the removal apparatus of FIG. 2 performing the method of FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a simplified end view of the removal apparatus of FIG. 2 performing the method of FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a simplified end view of the removal apparatus of FIG. 2 performing the method of FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a simplified end view of the removal apparatus of FIG. 2 performing the method of FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a simplified end view of the removal apparatus of FIG. 2 performing the method of FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a simplified end view of the removal apparatus of FIG. 2 performing the method of FIG. 4; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a glass manufacturing system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Various embodiments of apparatus and methods for processing glass sheets, particularly for separating and removing one or more peripheral portions from a central region of a glass sheet, are described in detail. In some aspects, the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure are useful for removing beaded or nodular regions of glass sheets. However, after reading the specification of the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of its teachings, will appreciate that the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure remove peripheral portions of any glass sheet that may or may not include portions containing beads or nodules. You will understand that it may be used to For example, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein can be used to resize glass sheets without bead or hump regions. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

A glass sheet is typically manufactured by forming a glass ribbon with a glass ribbon forming apparatus, separating the glass sheet from the glass ribbon with a separating apparatus, and removing one or more peripheral portions of the glass sheet with a removing apparatus. Glass ribbons are commonly made by flowing molten glass into a forming body. In the forming body, the glass ribbon may be formed by a variety of ribbon forming processes including float, slot draw, down draw, fused down draw, top draw, or any other forming process. A glass ribbon from any of these processes may then be split to provide one or more glass sheets suitable for further processing into desired applications, including but not limited to display applications.

For convenience of explanation, a glass sheet has two opposite major surfaces (i.e., a first major surface and a second major surface) and has a width, a length, and a distance from the first major surface to the second major surface. A piece of glass material having a thickness defined as As an additional explanation, FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show front and end views of a glass sheet 20, eg, a glass sheet separated from a glass ribbon formed in a fused down draw process. The glass sheet 20 has first and second major surfaces 22, 24 opposite each other. The first and second major surfaces 22 , 24 are connected by a first side edge surface 30 opposite the second side edge surface 32 and a third side edge surface 34 opposite the fourth side edge surface 36 . Each edge surface 30,32,34,36 connects the first and second major surfaces 22,24.

As used herein, the "peripheral portion" of the glass sheet is the portion corresponding to and near the designated one of the side edge surfaces 30, 32, 34, 36 and away from the remainder of the glass sheet 20. It refers to the part that is intended to be As described in more detail below, aspects of the present disclosure relate to separating and removing one or more peripheral portions of glass sheet 20 from the remainder of glass sheet 20 . For example, in some non-limiting embodiments, the glass sheet 20 has one or more bead or bump regions, such as a first bead region 40 and a second side edge surface 32 corresponding to and adjacent to the first side edge surface 30 . may have or form a second bead region 42 corresponding to and next to it. As generally reflected in FIG. 1B, the bead regions 40 , 42 can have a large thickness and/or thickness deviation compared to other regions of the glass sheet 20 . For example, glass sheet 20 may include central region 44 having a generally uniform thickness. Central region 44 is sometimes referred to as the quality region and is typically that portion of glass sheet 20 intended to be preserved and used in later applications. Thus, some aspects of the present disclosure eliminate bead regions 40 , 42 from central region 44 by removing a first peripheral portion including first bead region 40 and a second peripheral portion including second bead region 42 . to separate one or both of As an additional illustration, FIG. 1C highlights a first peripheral portion 50 and a second peripheral portion 52 that may be spaced apart from central region 44 . A first peripheral portion 50 corresponds to and is proximate to the first side edge surface 30 and includes the first bead region 40 . A second peripheral portion 52 corresponds to and is proximate to the second side edge surface 32 and includes the second bead region 42 . By removing the first and second peripheral portions 50,52 away from the central region 44, the resulting glass sheet article will consist of the central region 44 and be free of the bead regions 40,42. In a glass sheet 20 as originally received (e.g., separated or cut from a continuous glass ribbon) prior to subsequent processing described below, the first and second peripheral portions 50,52 are the bead regions 40,42. may not be physically apparent within the glass sheet 20 apart from the physical appearance of . Rather, the extent or boundaries of the peripheral portions 50, 52 are later defined, for example, by forming one or more score lines along the glass sheet 20 at predetermined locations in the glass sheet 20, as described below. be done. Accordingly, the depiction of FIG. 1C is provided to provide a better understanding of "periphery" as used throughout this disclosure.

The apparatus and methods of the present disclosure are not limited to removing two peripheral portions of glass sheet 20 . In other embodiments, only one peripheral portion may be removed. Alternatively, more than two peripheral portions of glass sheet 20 may be removed using the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure. Also, the peripheral portion that is removed need not include or comprise a bead or nodule region. The apparatus and methods of the present disclosure may be used to remove peripheral portions of any glass sheet that may or may not include the bead or hump region. For example, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein can be used to resize glass sheets without bead or hump regions.

With the above background in mind, a portion of a glass sheet perimeter removal apparatus 100 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure for processing glass sheets, such as glass sheet 20 above, is shown in simplified form in FIG. As a point of reference, FIG. 2 depicts the initial stage of operation (or cycle start) when the glass sheet 20 is loaded into the removal device 100 . Removal device 100 includes support device 102 , incision device 104 , force application device 106 , and backup bar assembly 108 . Details about the various components are provided below. Broadly speaking, however, the support device 102 positions and maintains the glass sheet 20 in position relative to the scoring device 104 , the force applicator 106 , and the backup bar assembly 108 . Scoring device 104 is operable to form score lines, vents, or scribes in glass sheet 20 . Force applicator 106 is operable to apply a pushing force to the peripheral portions of glass sheet 20 to cause separation of the peripheral portions at the score line. The force applicator 106 also controls the post-separation periphery along with the backup rod assembly 108 . As a point of reference, removal apparatus 100 is depicted in FIG. 2 for processing a portion of glass sheet 20 including and adjacent first side edge surface 30 . In some optional embodiments, the removal device 100 includes additional (eg, identical) cutting devices, force applicators, and backup bar assemblies, eg, located on opposite sides of the support device 102, to provide a second It can be configured to perform similar perimeter removal operations adjacent to the two-sided edge surface 32 (FIG. 1A). If provided, removal apparatus 100 is optionally operable to perform removal of peripheral portions near first side edge surface 30 and near second side edge surface 32 simultaneously.

Support device 102 may take various forms suitable for contacting and engaging glass sheet 20 in a nondestructive manner to establish a predetermined orientation of glass sheet 20 in removal device 100 . A particular configuration of support device 102 may be selected to provide the desired orientation of glass sheet 20 before and during the perimeter removal operation. For example, in some non-limiting embodiments, support device 102 is configured to engage opposite major surfaces 22, 24 of glass sheet 20, respectively, adjacent third side edge surface 34 (FIG. 1A). It may include opposing clamp arms 120, 122 configured and arranged. Other support device constructions are also acceptable. Nonetheless, the predetermined orientation established by support device 102 includes or defines primary support plane 124 as shown in FIG. As a point of reference, the opposite major surfaces 22, 24 of the glass sheet 20 are generally generally coplanar (i.e., within 5 degrees of true coplanar relationship) and the major planes of the glass sheet 20 are thus opposite one another. are coplanar with the major surfaces 22, 24 of the . When the glass sheet 20 is held by the support device 102 , the major plane of the glass sheet 20 is oriented (or coplanar) with the major holding plane 124 of the support device 102 . For example, if support device 102 includes clamp arms 120, 122, each arm 120, 122 terminates in a clamp surface 126, 128, respectively. The clamping surfaces 126, 128 may be coplanar such that the major retaining plane 124 is centered between and coplanar with the clamping surfaces 126, 128. As shown in FIG. Other support structures adapted to establish the primary holding plane for the glass sheet 20 are also acceptable and may or may not include clamp arms.

In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure are intended for processing glass sheet 20 while glass sheet 20 is in a vertical orientation. In these and related embodiments, the support device 102 is configured to establish the primary retaining plane 124, and thus the glass sheet 20, in a generally vertical orientation. An example of this relationship is further illustrated in FIG. In the vertical orientation, the third side edge surface 34 can be considered the top edge surface of the glass sheet 20 and the fourth side edge surface 36 can be considered the bottom edge surface. In these non-limiting embodiments, the clamp arms 120, 122 can be part of clamps attached to a suspension system 130, such as a vertical glass sheet suspension conveyor. Typically, the glass sheet 20 is first engaged with the clamp arms 120, 122 outside the removal device 100 and then moved into the removal device 100 by a transporter. Nevertheless, in some non-limiting embodiments, support device 102 is configured to hold glass sheet 20 in a generally vertical orientation (i.e., first major surface 22 is oriented at an angle of 10 degrees or less with respect to the gravitational acceleration vector). can be configured to In other embodiments, the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure are adapted to perform edge removal operations on non-vertically oriented glass sheets. In these and related embodiments, the support device 102 may take other forms that may or may not include a clamping device attached to the suspension system. For example, the support apparatus 102 can be configured to establish the primary retaining plane 124 (FIG. 2) in a generally horizontal orientation, such as at an angle between generally vertical and generally horizontal, such that the glass sheet 20 can Remains in an established orientation. Regardless of the exact configuration, in some embodiments, as generally shown in FIG. 2, the support device 102 does not engage or directly contact the glass sheet 20 along the peripheral portion to be removed. (as will become apparent below).

In addition to the primary holding plane 124 , the predetermined orientation established by the support device 102 in the removal device 100 suggests other characteristics of the glass sheet 20 . For example, the glass sheet 20 is loaded into the support device 102 such that the position of the first major side surface 30 relative to the support device 102 can be calculated or known (eg, the dimensions of the glass sheet 20 can be estimated or measured). is or is known and if the glass sheet 20 is centered with respect to the support device 102, the distance from the centerline (or other location) of the support device 102 to the first major side surface 30 can be calculated or known). Accordingly, the advantageous positioning and/or operation of the notching device 104, the force applying device 106, and/or the backup bar assembly 108 to perform peripheral separation and removal operations on desired portions of the glass sheet 20 may be performed by the support device. 102 can be determined or specified. For example, with additional reference to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 3, the support device 102 can have or establish a centerline 132 such that the glass sheet 20 is centered about the first and second side edge surfaces 30, 32 opposite each other. Support device 102 may be loaded to center line 132 . With reference to the X, Y, Z coordinate system common to FIGS. 2 and 3, the X-axis distance between centerline 132 and first side edge surface 30 can be calculated or known. At the calculated or known final position of support device 102 in removal device 100, centerline 132 (or other geometric identifier for support device 102) and one or more other components (e.g., incision device 104, force The X-axis distance of the applicator 106, backup bar assembly 108, etc.) can also be calculated or known. Accordingly, as described in more detail below, the calculated or known final position of the support device 102 in the X-axis direction is such as to position the first side edge surface 30 at a desired position relative to the incision device 104, for example. can be selected to Alternatively or additionally, components of the incision device 104 (possibly in addition to other components of the removal device 100, such as the force applicator 106, the backup bar assembly 108, etc.) may be attached to the known or calculated final It can be moved in the X-axis direction relative to the position to contact the glass sheet 20 at a desired position relative to the first side edge surface 30 . As a simplified example, if the desired width of the peripheral portion to be removed is 1 cm, the score line is beneficially formed 1 cm from the first side edge surface 30 . If the glass sheet 20 has a known or calculated width (dimension in the X-axis direction) of 400 cm and is centered on the centerline 132, then 1 cm from the first side edge surface 30 is 199 cm from the centerline 132. Thus, in this simplified example, the final position of the support device 102 is positioned relative to the cutting device 104 and/or the cutting device 104 is operative to make a score line 199 cm from the centerline 132. 104 is positioned relative to the final position of support device 102 . From these descriptions, it will be appreciated that the placement of the various components of removal device 100 may be described with respect to centerline 132 or other known positions of support device 102 .

Referring to FIG. 2, the scoring device 104 can take various forms known in the art for making score lines, vents, or scribes in the glass sheet 20 . For example, the cutting device 104 can include a mechanical cutting wheel 140 mounted on a tower 142 . Broadly speaking, tower 142 moves score ring 140 into and out of contact with glass sheet 20 (contact begins at first major surface 22), and score ring 140 traverses along tower 142 (e.g., in FIG. 2) make a cut line. A nosing bar or bar 144 may also be provided. As is known in the art, the scoring device 104 is operable to bring the nosing bar 144 into contact with the glass sheet 20 against the scoring wheel 140 (e.g., when the scoring wheel 140 contacts the first major surface 22). If it contacts, it contacts the second major surface 24). When so positioned, the nosing bar 144 supports the glass sheet 20 against the force applied by the score wheel 140 and provides a surface against which the glass sheet 20 can bend and facilitate separation of the peripheral portion. . Other glass sheet scoring arrangements or configurations are also acceptable (eg, scoring bars, laser scoring, ultrasonic, high pressure water jet, etc.). Nonetheless, the scoring device 104 may be positioned relative to the support device 102 to make a score line at a known or predetermined spatial location, for example relative to the centerline 132 (FIG. 3) or other known spatial feature of the support device 102 . Arranged. In other words, in FIG. 2, the score ring 140 has not yet contacted the glass sheet 20 . In the next operation of the scoring device 104 as described below, the scoring wheel 140 is brought into contact with the glass sheet 20 along a scoring plane that intersects the primary retaining plane 124 at the scoring location indicated at 146 in FIG. It is understood that the cut location 146 of the device 104 may be specified or determined whether or not the glass sheet 20 is actually present). The known or predetermined configuration and operation of the cutting device 104 is such that the cutting location 146 is calculated from the centerline 132 (or other spatial feature) of the support device 102 along the major holding plane 124 (e.g., along the X-axis). or at a known distance. Although FIG. 2 suggests that the scoring device 104 operates to move the scoring wheel 140 from an initial condition in a linear direction until it contacts the glass sheet 20 at a point corresponding to or aligned with the scoring location 146, other arrangements may be made. In embodiments, the scoring device 104 may be configured to non-linearly move a scoring-producing component (eg, scoring wheel 140) from an initial state to the glass sheet 20 through a non-linear travel path. Nevertheless, the support device 102 and the cutting device 104 can be cooperatively configured such that the cutting location 146 of the cutting device 104 is a known or predetermined distance from the centerline 132 (or other spatial feature) of the support device 102. . The placement of other components or features of removal apparatus 100 may be described relative to cut location 146 independently of the spatial features of glass sheet 20 as follows. In other embodiments, the placement of components or features of removal apparatus 100 may be described with reference to spatial features of glass sheet 20 , such as first side edge surface 30 .

Force applicator 106 includes push rod 150 , platform 152 , and driver 154 . A push rod 150 is mounted on a platform 152 and terminates in a contact surface 156 . The push rod 150 is a rigid or semi-rigid body configured to easily transfer or apply force to the glass. In some non-limiting embodiments, the push rod 150, or at least the part providing the contact surface 156 of the push rod 150, is, for example, a high temperature silicone rubber material similar to materials conventionally used in or as nosing bars 144. be. The shape of the push rod 150, and particularly the contact surface 156, can be flat as shown, although other shapes (pointed, curved, curvilinear, irregular, etc.) are acceptable. For example, push rod 150 can be a square rod, a circular rod, or the like. In some non-limiting embodiments, the push rod 150 can be an extrusion shaped for replaceable insertion into the base. Width 158 of contact surface 156 is selected to provide sufficient surface area to contact glass sheet 20, and in some embodiments is 50 millimeters (mm) or less, optionally 40 mm or less, and some In embodiments, it may be 30 mm or less, and in other non-limiting embodiments, approximately 12 mm. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the width 158 of the contact surface 156 is less than the diameter of vacuum cups conventionally used in glass sheet perimeter removal devices. Although contact surface 156 is generally illustrated as being straight across width 158 , in other embodiments contact surface 156 may be rounded to make tangential or line contact with glass sheet 20 . In some embodiments, the length of push rod 150 (the Y-axis dimension in and out of the page of FIG. 2) corresponds to the expected length of glass sheet 20 when placed in position by support device 102. Selected to be close to or exceed the dimensions. For example, with additional reference to FIG. 1A, when the removal device 100 operates to remove a peripheral portion of the glass sheet 20 that includes the first side edge surface 30, the length of the push rod 150 extends from the first side edge surface 30. (or the dimension of the glass sheet 20 between the third and fourth side edge surfaces 34, 36). Because of this optional construction, the contact surface 156 may more uniformly exert or transfer force across the glass sheet 20 during a peripheral removal operation, as described below. In other embodiments, the push rod 150 may be sized so that it does not extend across the entire glass sheet 20 . Although FIG. 2 shows the force applicator 106 as including one push rod 150, in other embodiments more than one push rod may be provided.

Platform 152 supports push rod 150 and includes various components and/or mechanisms for moving push rod 150 in the direction indicated by arrow 160 (e.g., platform 152 is slidably mounted to a stationary base or frame). sell). In some embodiments, direction 160 may be generally perpendicular to primary retaining plane 124 (ie, within 10 degrees of true vertical). Other relationships between direction 160 and primary retaining plane 124 are also envisioned. Also, while direction 160 is illustrated as being linear or straight, in other embodiments, platform 152 may be configured to move push bar 150 along a curved or curvilinear path. In the home or cycle start position of platform 152 shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments the push bar is positioned so that contact surface 156 and notch wheel 140 are on the same side of primary retaining plane 124, for reasons that will become apparent below. 150 is located.

Drive 154 is typically configured to drive platform 152 to move pusher bar 150 along direction 160 in a desired manner. In some embodiments, driver 154 includes driver 170 and controller 172 . The drive 170 drives the platform 152, and thus the peripheral portions of the glass sheet 20 in the direction 160 of the push rod 150, at a speed and force suitable for separating along the score line (as described in more detail below). ) may take various forms suitable for implementing the Accordingly, drive 170 can be pneumatically based (eg, one or more pneumatic cylinders), hydraulically based, motorized, and the like. The controller 172 is a computer or computer-like device (e.g., PLC, computer, etc.) programmed (hardware, software, etc.) to control the operation of the drive 170 and to operate the drive 170 in a desired manner. may be or include. For example, in some optional embodiments, drive 154 is a servo motor system and includes a user interface that allows a user to easily change or adjust operating parameters (e.g., speed, stroke position, timing, etc.). . In some embodiments, the movement of drive 154 is electronically coordinated with the movement of one or both of support device 102 and cutting device 104 . Controller 172 may be electronically connected to a controller (not shown) that operates support device 102 and a controller (not shown) that operates cutting device 104 . For example, a system controller or computer can be programmed (hardware or software) to interface with support device 102, cutting device 104, and drive controller 172 and automatically perform the processes and methods described below.

The force application device 106 is configured to contact the held glass sheet 20 at a known or predetermined spatial position relative to, for example, the centerline 132 (FIG. 3) of the support device 102 and/or the cut location 146 of the scoring device 104. It is arranged relative to the support device 102 and the cutting device 104 . In FIG. 2, contact surface 156 is not yet in contact with glass sheet 20 . Upon subsequent operation of the force applicator 106, as described below, the contact surface 156 is brought into contact with the glass sheet 22 along a push plane that intersects the primary holding plane 124 at the push location indicated at 176 in FIG. (It is understood that the push position 176 of the force applicator 106 can be specified or calculated whether or not the glass sheet 20 is actually present). The known or predetermined configuration and operation of the force applicator 106 is such that the push location 176 is calculated or known relative to the centerline 132 along the primary holding plane 124 (e.g., in the X-axis direction) and/or the cut location 146 . It is constructed and operated as if it were in position. For example, in some embodiments, removal device 100 may determine that the distance from centerline 132 (or other spatial feature of support device 102 ) to cut location 146 is greater than the distance from centerline 132 (or other spatial feature) to push location 176 . is configured to be less than the distance to In other words, removal device 100 is configured such that push location 176 is outside or beyond cut location 146 with respect to primary retaining plane 124 (eg, in the X-axis direction). In a related embodiment, the configuration of the removal device 100 can be described with reference to the glass sheet 20 initially loaded into the removal device 100, where the push location 176 is located between the first side edge surface 30 and the cut location 146. Including what is in between.

Backup bar assembly 108 typically includes a frame 180 that maintains one or more backup bodies, such as a first backup body 182 and a second backup body 184 . The back-up bodies 182, 184 may take various forms (e.g., bars, rods, etc.) suitable for contacting the glass and may be provided by the frame 180 with an engagement surface, such as a first engagement surface 186 (first back-up body 182). ) and the second engagement surface 188 (provided by the second backup body 184). If two (or more) are provided, the backup bodies 182 , 184 and thus the respective engagement surfaces 186 , 188 may be spaced from each other along the frame 180 . Backup bar assembly 108 is also configured such that first engagement surface 186 is located closer to primary retention plane 124 than second engagement surface 188 .

In particular, in some embodiments, the removal device 100 allows the frame 180 and thus the backup bodies 182, 184 to remain stationary and the backup bar assembly 108 to remain stationary during the perimeter removal operations described below. It is configured to resist expected forces applied to 184 . For example, frame 180 (or other object attached to frame 180) may be rigidly mounted to the floor of a glass manufacturing facility. Because of these and similar static structures, the backup bar assembly 108 has a first engagement surface 186 designated relative to the primary retention plane 124, the cut location 146, and the push location 176 for reasons that will become apparent below. Constructed and arranged to be maintained in position. Also, the second engagement surface 188 is maintained in a specified position offset from the first engagement surface 186 in a direction opposite the primary retaining plane 124 .

For example, the first engagement surface 186 is maintained at a position spatially between the cutting position 146 of the cutting device 104 and the pushing position 176 of the force applying device 106 . In other words, an imaginary line extending from first engagement surface 186 perpendicular to primary retention plane 124 (eg, an imaginary line in the Z-axis direction) intersects primary retention plane 124 at first backup position 190 . In some embodiments, removal device 100 is configured such that first backup position 190 is between cutting position 146 and pushing position 176 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, the linear distance from centerline 132 (FIG. 3) to first engagement surface 186 in a direction parallel to primary retention plane 124 is greater than the linear distance between centerline 132 and notch location 146; Removal device 100 is configured to be less than the linear distance between centerline 132 and push location 176 . In addition, the first engagement surface 186 is maintained at a sufficient distance from the primary retaining plane 124 to allow folding and separation at the formed score line from the remainder of the peripheral portion of the glass sheet 20 ( described in more detail below). In some embodiments, the particular distance between the first mating surface 186 and the primary retaining plane 124 may be selected as a function of various process parameters, including the composition and thickness of the particular glass sheet 20 . More generally, it can be described that the first engagement surface 186 is positioned relative to the major retaining plane 124 facing the scoring device 104 so as not to contact the glass sheet 20 before and during operation of the scoring device 104 .

In some embodiments, the second engagement surface 188 is maintained at a position spatially between the push position 176 of the force applicator 106 and the first engagement surface 186 . In other words, an imaginary line extending from the second engagement surface 188 perpendicular to the primary retention plane 124 (eg, an imaginary line along the Z axis) intersects the primary retention plane 124 at the second backup location 192 . In some embodiments, removal device 100 is configured such that second backup position 192 is between push position 176 and first backup position 190 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, the linear distance in a direction parallel to the primary retaining plane 124 from the centerline 132 (FIG. 3) to the second engagement surface 188 is the linear distance between the centerline 132 and the first engagement surface 186. Remover 100 is configured to be greater than the linear distance between centerline 132 and push location 176 . Additionally, the second engagement surface 188 is maintained at a distance from the primary retention plane 124 that is greater than the distance between the first engagement surface 186 and the primary retention plane 124 (for reasons that will become apparent below).

The spatial arrangement of the first and second engagement surfaces 186, 188 described above can be achieved in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, the frame 180 is fixed in space (i.e., does not move when subjected to forces expected during the perimeter removal operation described below), and the first and second backup bodies 182, 184 are maintained as shown. In another embodiment, the frame 180 is mounted to a base (not shown) in a manner that permits selective movement of the frame 180 such that the first and second backup bodies 182 , 184 and thus the first and second engagement surfaces 186 are aligned. , 188 can be positioned as desired. For example, the frame 180 can be controllably operated by a drive, such as a pneumatic based drive (eg, one or more pneumatic cylinders), a hydraulic based drive, a motorized drive, or the like. In still other embodiments, one or both of backup bodies 182 , 184 are movably coupled to frame 180 . With this optional construction, the frame 180 can allow for rough spatial arrangement, with one or both of the backup bodies 182, 184 more accurately positioned as desired with their respective engagement surfaces 186, 188. can be moved non-linearly relative to the frame 180 as follows. In related embodiments, the distance between the primary retention plane 124 and one or more components of the backup bar assembly 108, such as the desired distance between the primary retention plane 124 and the first engagement surface 186 and/or the distance between the primary retention plane 124 and the first engagement surface 186. The distance between the two engagement surfaces 188 is determined for a particular glass sheet handling operation, and the backup bar assembly 108 can be manipulated (eg, a drive (not shown)) to achieve the desired distance.

In some embodiments, the configuration and placement of the removal device 100 are described with reference to the first side edge surface 30 of the glass sheet 20 held by the removal device 100 with respect to distance in a direction parallel to the primary holding plane 124, for example. sell. For example, the cutting location 146 of the cutting device 104 is located a first distance D1 from the first side edge surface 30 . The first engagement surface 186 is located a second distance D2 from the first side edge surface 30, the second distance D2 being less than the first distance D1. The push location 176 of the force applicator 106 is located a third distance D3 from the first side edge surface 30, the third distance D3 being less than the second distance D2. Finally, the second engagement surface 188 is located a fourth distance D4 from the first side edge surface 30, the fourth distance D4 being less than the third distance D3.

A non-limiting example of a method 300 for removing a peripheral portion of a glass sheet, eg, by operation of removal apparatus 100 (FIG. 2), in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically in FIG. Beginning at step 302 and with additional reference to FIG. 5A, the glass sheet 20 is first received at or by the removal apparatus 100 and placed in a predetermined orientation. For example, the glass sheet 20 is secured to the support device 102, which holds the glass sheet 20 in a predetermined, otherwise calculated or known relationship to other components of the removal device 100 as described above. It operates to position and hold in position. In some embodiments, the support device 102 maintains the glass sheet 20 in the primary holding plane 124 and establishes a known or calculated position of the first side edge surface 30 . As a point of reference, the perimeter removal operations and methods illustrated in FIGS. It will be recalled that glass sheet 20 may or may not include first bead regions 40 at first side edge surface 30 . For ease of illustration, first bead region 40 is not shown in the remaining FIGS. 5B-5F.

At step 304 , score lines are formed on the first major surface 30 of the glass sheet 20 . For example, referring to FIG. 5B, cutting device 104 operates to move cutting wheel 140 (eg, in the direction of arrow 200) into contact with first major surface 22, and then movement of cutting wheel 140 is performed. Subsequently, a score line or vent 210 (referenced generally) is made. In some embodiments, the score line 210 can extend from near the third side edge surface 34 (best seen in FIG. 1A) to near the fourth side edge surface 36 (FIG. 1A), while the score ring 140 (or Other incision formers) may not directly contact the very edge lines of the third and/or fourth side edge surfaces 34,36. In other embodiments, the score line 210 may extend right to the edge line of one or both of the third and fourth side edge surfaces 34,36. Nevertheless, the score line 210 demarcates a peripheral portion 220 and a central region 222 of the glass sheet 20 , the peripheral portion 220 being defined between the score line 210 and the first side edge surface 30 . In some embodiments, in the step of forming the score line 210 (i.e., step 304), the peripheral portion 220 is not essentially constrained or held by the removal device 100 during the score line forming operation (e.g., the score line Except for the nosing bar 144 which contacts a small portion of the peripheral portion 220 at the score line 210 while 210 is being made, the rest of the removal device 100 including the force applicator 106 and the backup bar assembly 108. are not in contact with or engaged with peripheral portion 220). In these and similar embodiments, unlike some conventional perimeter removal devices and methods in which a vacuum cup array or clamp engages the perimeter during score line formation, when the score line 210 is formed: No deformation stress is induced in peripheral portion 220 . As a reference point, if the peripheral portion 220 is constrained during the formation of the score line 210, deformation stresses may be induced in the peripheral portion and prevent uniform cutting, moving the peripheral portion 220 from the central region 222 to the score line. It may increase the energy required to achieve separation along 210 .

At step 306 , push bar 150 is moved toward backup bar assembly 108 so that contact surface 156 contacts first major surface 22 along peripheral portion 220 . For example, in FIG. 5C force applicator 106 is activated to move push rod 150 in direction 226 toward glass sheet 20, closer to backup rod assembly 108 than the arrangement of FIG. 5B. Contact surface 156 contacts first major surface 22 along peripheral portion 220 (peripheral portion 220 is not labeled in FIG. 5C for ease of illustration). In other words, contact surface 156 is brought into contact with first major surface 22 at a location between first side edge surface 30 and score line 210 . In some embodiments, the operation of the force application device 106 is timed or correlated with the operation of the scoring device 104 such that the contact surface 156 engages the first major surface 22 shortly after the score line 210 is completed. . For example, the force applicator 106 can be operable to initiate movement of the push rod 150 toward the glass sheet 20 before the score line 210 is completed (eg, the cutting action of the score wheel 40 has not yet finished). In some embodiments, contact surface 156 may contact first major surface 22 less than one second after score line 210 is completed if the timing of operation of scoring device 104 is determined or known. In these and similar embodiments, this efficient operation can advantageously reduce the overall cycle time of the peripheral removal process.

Push bar 150 is moved further in direction 226 (ie, toward backup bar assembly 108), causing peripheral portion 220 (FIG. 5B) to separate from central region 222 (FIG. 5B) along score line 210 at step 308. . For example, in FIG. 5D, force application device 106 has been operated to move push rod 150 further in direction 226 (compared to the arrangement of FIG. 5C) such that a pushing force is applied to peripheral portion 220 at contact surface 156. It is Continued advancement of pusher bar 150 toward backup bar assembly 108 causes peripheral portion 220 to deflect or bend at score line 210 relative to central region 222 . In some embodiments, the nosing bar 144 can provide a surface around which the peripheral portion 220 can flex. As the peripheral portion 220 is deflected, the glass sheet 20 breaks at the score line 210 and eventually separates completely from the central region 222 . As shown in FIG. 5D, peripheral portion 220 does not contact backup bar assembly 108 at the moment peripheral portion 220 first completely separates from central region 222 . As noted above, first engagement surface 186 represents the portion of backup rod assembly 108 closest to glass sheet 20 . With this in mind, backup bar assembly 108 is constructed or arranged such that first engagement surface 186 is sufficient to achieve complete separation at score line 210 without interfering or interfering with the deflection of peripheral portion 220 . be done. As a point of reference, the level or amount of deflection (eg, the angle between the peripheral portion 220 and the central region 222) required to effect a complete separation at the score line 210 is a process variable, such as the composition of the glass sheet 20, the glass It may depend on the thickness of the sheet 20, the depth and quality of the score line 210, the temperature of the glass sheet 20, etc., and in some embodiments may be approximately 7 degrees. In some embodiments, the backup rod assembly 108 is adjusted according to one or more of these characteristics (or based on commissioning, etc.) prior to the peripheral portion removal operation to provide the required deflection of the peripheral portion 220 and the The first engagement surface 186 may be positioned so as not to interfere or interfere.

At step 310 , push rod 150 is moved further in direction 226 (ie, toward backup rod assembly 108 ) to capture the separated peripheral portion between push rod 150 and backup rod assembly 108 . For example, in FIG. 5E, force applicator 106 has just been operated to move push rod 150 further in direction 226 (compared to the arrangement of FIG. 5D). The separated peripheral portion is labeled 220' in FIG. 5E to further clarify that it is no longer connected or part of the rest of the glass sheet 20. Consistent with previous descriptions of the glass sheet 20, the isolated peripheral portion 220' has opposite major surfaces labeled 22', 24' with a first side edge surface 30 and a notched edge 230. terminate. FIG. 5E also shows newly formed notched edge 232 of central region 222 . Continued movement of the push rod 150 applies a pushing force to the isolated peripheral portion 220' to orient the second major surface 24' into contact with the first engagement surface 186. As shown in FIG. As a point of reference, in embodiments in which the glass sheet 20 is oriented vertically during the peripheral portion removal process, as soon as the separated peripheral portion 220' is completely clear of the central region 222 (i.e., the configuration of FIG. 5D), the separated peripheral portion 220' is separated. The peripheral portion 220' begins to fall under gravity. Thus, while the separated peripheral portion 220' may drop or slide vertically along the contact surface 156, due to the continued advancement of the push rod 150, the separated peripheral portion 220' may move toward the first engagement surface. 186 will be directed.

Pusher bar 150 is moved further in direction 226 from the orientation of FIG. For example, at the moment in FIG. 5E, the first engagement surface 186 contacts the second major surface 24', and at a location between the first engagement surface 186 and the first side edge surface 30, the contact surface 156 contacts the first major surface. 22'. Accordingly, as the pusher bar 150 is advanced further, the separated peripheral portion 220' pivots and separates the notched edge 230 of the separated peripheral portion 220' from the notched edge 232 of the central region 222. In some embodiments, the removal device 100 then operates to limit or eliminate the possibility of the isolated peripheral portion 220 ′ contacting or damaging the central region 222 .

Advancement of push rod 150 in direction 226 continues to orient separated peripheral portion 220' into contact with second engagement surface 188 as shown in FIG. 5F. A comparison of FIGS. 5E and 5F further illustrates the pivoting of the isolated peripheral portion 220' about the first engagement surface 186 by advancement of the push rod 150. FIG. 5F, the isolated peripheral portion 220' is trapped between the push rod 150 and the backup rod assembly 108. In the arrangement of FIG. In particular, the first and second engagement surfaces 186, 188 contact the second major surface 24', while the contact surface 156 at a location between the first and second engagement surfaces 186, 188 contacts the first major surface. 22'. The push rod 150 continues to apply a force to the separated peripheral portion 220' and the backup bar assembly 108, and the assembly 108 resists this applied force at the engagement surfaces 186, 188 while pushing the separated peripheral portion. 220' is caught and no longer rotates (or falls under the situation where the glass sheet 20 is being processed in a vertical orientation). Although the isolated peripheral portion 220 ′ is shown to be generally planar in the captured configuration, in some embodiments, the isolated peripheral portion 220 ′ may flex or bend at the contact surface 156 . good (eg, depending on the thickness of the isolated peripheral portion 220' and/or the force being applied by the push rod 150).

In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure allow the push rod 150 to capture a point (i.e., FIG. 5F) at a peripheral portion 220' separated from the initial point of contact with the glass sheet 20 (i.e., FIG. 5C). state). In some embodiments, push rod 150 is advanced at a constant speed. In other embodiments, the speed of push rod 150 may vary during the removal operation. Nevertheless, in some embodiments, the travel distance and/or travel speed of the push rod 150 from the initial point of contact to the point of capture varies with the thickness of the glass sheet 20 and, in embodiments where the glass sheet 20 is processed in a vertical orientation, The allowable or desired drop distance of the separated peripheral portion 220′ (eg, the distance that the separated peripheral portion 220′ can fall from the separation point to the capture point, the separation when released from the removal device 100 as described below). , etc.). In some methods of the present disclosure, the desired travel distance and/or travel speed of the push rod 150 is predetermined and the removal device 100 is configured according to that determination. For example, in some embodiments, the drive 154 (FIG. 2) is programmed to produce a desired travel distance and/or velocity of the push rod 150, and the backup rod assembly 108 has the first engagement surface 186 and /or arranged to position the second engagement surface 188 at a desired distance from the glass sheet 20 or the like.

At step 312 , the separated peripheral portion 220 ′ is released from the push rod 150 and backup rod assembly 108 . For example, in some embodiments, push rod 150 is moved away from engagement surfaces 186, 188 (i.e., in a direction opposite direction 226) and/or backup bar assembly 108 pushes engagement surfaces 186, 188. Acts away from bar 150 . Once released, the isolated peripheral portion 220' can be further separated from the central region 222. FIG. For example, if the glass sheet 20 is processed in a vertical orientation, when the separated peripheral portion 220' is released, the separated peripheral portion 220' falls under gravity, e.g. via glass chute or conveyor). In these and similar embodiments, the path of the falling separated peripheral portion 220' can be optionally controlled or directed by the removal device 100. FIG. For example, the removal device 100 may operate to slowly retract the push rod 150 from the backup rod assembly 108 to slowly release the energy stored in the captured isolated peripheral portion 220'. Under these circumstances, the isolated peripheral portion 220' remains planar and simply falls vertically. In some embodiments, the push rod 150 can be quickly withdrawn from the backup rod assembly 108 and the energy stored in the captured and separated peripheral portion 220' can be quickly released. Under these circumstances, the detached peripheral portion 220' may "bounce" or hit and change direction and possibly rotate as it falls. Other techniques for removing freed and separated peripheral portions 220' are acceptable.

Once the isolated peripheral portion 220' is removed, the central region 222 can be further processed as desired. For example, support apparatus 102 may be operable to transport central region 222 to another processing apparatus (eg, cleaning station, storage, shipping, etc.). Nonetheless, removal apparatus 100 may automatically return to the home or cycle start position of FIG. 5A to process another glass sheet.

The method illustrated in FIG. 4 is but one example of the present disclosure. In other embodiments, for example, one or more of the steps of FIG. 4 may be omitted. Additionally or alternatively, other steps may be added. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein are intended to be representative and therefore non-limiting. In some embodiments, the glass sheet to be processed may be formed by a glass manufacturing system, may be provided as a separate glass sheet from a glass ribbon, may be provided as a glass sheet separated from another glass sheet, or may be provided as a glass sheet separated from another glass sheet. It can be provided as a glass sheet stretched from a roll of sheets, can be provided as a glass sheet obtained from a stack of glass sheets, or can be provided as a free-standing glass sheet.

As noted above, the peripheral portion removal apparatus and methods of the present disclosure may be useful as part of a glass manufacturing system, for example, in a glass manufacturing system that manufactures glass in a draw operation. Some non-limiting embodiments are provided in FIG. FIG. 6 generally depicts a glass manufacturing system used to manufacture glass in a draw operation. A glass manufacturing system processes the batch material into molten glass, which is then introduced into a forming apparatus from which the molten glass flows to form a glass ribbon. Although the description below is presented in the context of forming a glass sheet by a fused glass fabrication process, the principles described herein apply to the production of molten glass from molten glass that is placed within an enclosed or partially enclosed space. It can be applied to a wide range of processes where cooling of the glass ribbon is desired. Accordingly, the principles disclosed herein are not limited by the specific embodiments described below and may be used in other glass making processes such as, for example, float, top draw, slot, and Foucault processes.

Referring to FIG. 6 , glass manufacturing system 400 includes glass ribbon forming apparatus 410 , separating apparatus 412 , conveying apparatus 414 , and removing apparatus 100 . Forming apparatus 410 is configured to perform the fusion process and includes melt vessel 450 , clarifying vessel 452 , mixing vessel 454 , delivery vessel 456 , former 458 , and drawing apparatus 460 . The forming device 410 melts and bonds the batch materials into molten glass, disperses the molten glass into a temporary shape, and applies tension to the glass ribbon 462 to control the dimensions of the glass ribbon 462 as the glass cools and increases in viscosity. This creates a continuous glass ribbon 462 from the batch material. Separator 412 cuts individual glass sheets 20 from glass ribbon 462 after the glass has undergone a viscoelastic transition and has mechanical properties that provide glass sheets 20 with stable dimensional properties. The viscoelastic region of the glass ribbon 462 extends approximately from the softening point of the glass to the strain point of the glass. Below the strain point, the glass is believed to behave elastically.

In operation, batch materials for forming glass are introduced into melting vessel 450 as indicated by arrow 464 and melted to form molten glass 466 . Molten glass 466 flows into a finer vessel 452 which is maintained at a temperature higher than the temperature of melting vessel 450 . Molten glass 466 flows from fining vessel 452 into mixing vessel 454 where molten glass 466 undergoes a mixing process that homogenizes molten glass 466 . Molten glass 466 flows from mixing vessel 454 to delivery vessel 456 , which delivers molten glass 466 through downcomer 468 to inlet 470 and into former 458 .

The former 458 depicted in FIG. 6 is used in the fusion draw process to produce a glass ribbon 462 with high surface quality and low thickness variation. Former 458 has an opening for receiving molten glass 466 . Molten glass 466 flows into vat 472 and then overflows and spills down sides 474 (one of which is visible in FIG. 6) of vat 472 into two partial ribbon portions and flows down the bottom edge (root) of former 458 . ) 476 below. The two partial ribbon portions of as-melted glass 466 recombine (eg, fuse) together at a location below root 476 of former 458 to form glass ribbon 462 . A glass ribbon 462 is pulled downwardly from the forming machine 458 by a draw device 460 . Although the forming device 410 shown and described herein performs the fused draw process, it should be understood that other forming devices may be used, including but not limited to slot draw devices and the like. Draw device 460 may include one or more roller assemblies (not shown) known to those skilled in the art. The roller assembly is positioned along the draw device 460 and contacts the glass ribbon 462 as it passes through the draw device 460 .

Separation device 412 may include glass separator 480 . A variety of glass separators 480 may be provided in embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a moving anvil machine may be provided that can make score lines 482 into the glass ribbon 462 to define the glass sheets 20 to be separated. In some embodiments, a scribe (eg, scoring wheel, diamond tip, etc.) can be used as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In some embodiments, a laser-based separation device may be provided as understood by those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, components of carrier 414 may assist in separating glass sheet 20 from glass ribbon 462 . For example, transport apparatus 414 may include a robot 484 having an end effector 486 that operates to bend glass sheet 20 against glass ribbon 462 and separate glass sheet 20 from glass ribbon 462 along score line 482 .

Robot 484 is operable to deliver separated glass sheets 20 to removal device 100 . In other embodiments, the glass sheet 20 is transported by the transport device 414 to an intermediate station and then to the removal device 100 . Nonetheless, removal device 100 operates as described above to remove one or more peripheral portions from glass sheet 20 . Processing with removal apparatus 100 transitions glass sheet 20 into glass sheet article 490 (eg, removing bead areas, reducing size, etc.), article 490 undergoing subsequent handling and/or processing as indicated by arrow 492 . can be affected.

The removal apparatus, glass manufacturing system, and method of the present disclosure provide significant improvements over previous configurations. During the mechanical cutting and bending/breaking processes, the peripheral portion of the glass sheet to be removed is not held or restrained. Therefore, minimal stress, if any, is induced in the peripheral portion, thereby improving score line formation and reducing the energy required for separation. Also, the removal apparatus and method of the present disclosure may eliminate the conventional use of vacuum cups to capture peripheral portions. As a result, the increased cycle time, surface area, and replacement concerns associated with vacuum cups are avoided.

Various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, if modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, this specification is intended to cover such modifications and variations. ing.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described item by item.

Embodiment 1
A method for removing a peripheral portion of a glass sheet, comprising:
Receiving a glass sheet having a first major surface opposite the second major surface, a first side edge surface opposite the second side edge surface, and a third side edge surface opposite the fourth side edge surface. wherein each side edge surface connects the first major surface and the second major surface;
placing the glass sheet in a predetermined orientation by fixing the first and second major surfaces;
forming a score line in the first major surface extending from proximate the third side edge surface to proximate the fourth side edge surface, the score line extending between a central region of the glass sheet and an edge of the glass sheet. defining a boundary with a peripheral portion, said peripheral portion being defined between said score line and said first side edge surface;
a) moving said push bar toward a backup bar assembly so that said push bar contacts said first major surface along said peripheral portion, prior to said step of moving said push bar; wherein said push rod is spaced from said first major surface and said backup rod assembly is positioned opposite said push rod with respect to said glass sheet and spaced from said second major surface; ,
b) following step a), further moving said push bar in said direction to separate said peripheral portion from said central region along said score line;
c) following step b), further moving said push rod in said direction to capture said separated peripheral portion between said push rod and said backup rod assembly.

Embodiment 2
2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein steps a)-c) are performed sequentially with continued movement of said push rod in said direction.

Embodiment 3
said backup bar assembly having a first engagement surface;
Following step b) and prior to step c), further moving said push bar in said direction to bring said second major surface of said separated peripheral portion into contact with said first engagement surface. 2. The method of embodiment 1 comprising.

Embodiment 4
Further moving the push bar in the direction to bring the second major surface of the separated peripheral portion into contact with the first engagement surface comprises: moving the separated peripheral portion around the first engagement surface; 4. The method of embodiment 3, comprising pivoting to.

Embodiment 5
Immediately following step b), said separate peripheral portion has a notched side edge opposite said first side edge surface, said separate peripheral portion pivoting about said first engagement surface. 5. The method of embodiment 4, wherein said step of removing includes moving said cut side edges away from said central region.

Embodiment 6
Further moving the push bar in the direction to bring the second major surface of the separated peripheral portion into contact with the first mating surface comprises moving the first side edge surface of the separated peripheral portion and the 5. The method of embodiment 4, comprising the linear distance of the first engagement surface being greater than the linear distance of the first side edge surface of the discrete peripheral portion and the push bar.

Embodiment 7
Said backup bar assembly further comprises a second engagement surface spaced from said first engagement surface, and step c) comprises said first and second mating surfaces contacting said second major surfaces of said separated peripheral portions. 5. The method of embodiment 4, comprising two engaging surfaces and the push bar in contact with the first major surface of the discrete peripheral portion.

Embodiment 8
step c) wherein the linear distance between said first side edge surface of said discrete peripheral portion and said first engagement surface is greater than the linear distance between said first side edge surface of said discrete peripheral portion and said push rod; the linear distance between the first side edge surface of the discrete peripheral portion and the push rod is greater than the linear distance between the first side edge surface of the discrete peripheral portion and the second engagement surface; 8. The method of embodiment 7.

Embodiment 9
2. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising releasing the separated peripheral portion from the push rod and the backup rod assembly subsequent to step c).

Embodiment 10
3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the predetermined orientation comprises the glass sheet in a generally vertical orientation.

Embodiment 11
2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein during said step of forming score lines, said peripheral portion has no force applied along said first and second major surfaces.

Embodiment 12
An apparatus for removing a peripheral portion away from a central region of a glass sheet having a first major surface opposite a second major surface, the apparatus comprising:
a support device adapted to place the glass sheet in a predetermined orientation having a primary holding plane;
a scoring device adapted to form a score line in said first major surface defining a boundary between said peripheral portion and said central region;
a force application device comprising a push rod;
a backup bar assembly having a first engagement surface;
the removal device has a start-of-cycle condition in which the push rod and the first engagement surface are positioned on opposite sides of the main retaining plane;
The force applying device moves the push rod in the direction of the first engagement surface, and sequentially
causing the push rod to apply a pushing force to the first major surface at the peripheral portion to separate the peripheral portion from the central region at the score line;
causing the push bar to apply a pushing force to the first main surface of the separated peripheral portion to bring the separated peripheral portion into contact with the first engaging surface;
adapted to cause the push rod to apply a pushing force to the first major surface of the separated peripheral portion to trap the separated peripheral portion between the push rod and the backup bar assembly; , removal device.

Embodiment 13
13. The apparatus of embodiment 12, wherein said backup bar assembly further comprises a second engagement surface spaced from said first engagement surface.

Embodiment 14
The backup bar assembly is configured such that movement of the push bar in the direction causes the separated peripheral portions to contact the first engagement surface and then the second engagement surface. 14. A device according to embodiment 13, arranged against a push rod.

Embodiment 15
An embodiment wherein the distance between the first engagement surface and the major retention plane perpendicular to the main retention plane is less than the distance between the second engagement surface and the major retention plane perpendicular to the major plane. 15. The device according to 14.

Embodiment 16
The scoring device is configured and positioned relative to the support device to create a scoring line along a scoring plane that intersects the primary retaining plane at a scoring location, the first engagement surface being the first engagement surface. is maintained in a position such that an imaginary line extending from perpendicular to said primary retention plane intersects said primary retention plane at a first backup position, and said force applicator is maintained in a position such that an imaginary line extends perpendicular to said primary retention plane from 13. The apparatus of embodiment 12, configured to move the push rod along and positioned relative to the cutting device, wherein the first backup position is between the cutting position and the pushing position.

Embodiment 17
The backup bar assembly is maintained in a position such that an imaginary line extending from the second engagement surface perpendicular to the primary retention plane intersects the primary retention plane at a second backup position. 17. The apparatus of embodiment 16, further comprising a surface, wherein the push position is between the first backup position and the second backup position.

Embodiment 18
13. The apparatus of embodiment 12, wherein said support device comprises a suspension assembly such that said primary retaining plane is generally vertical.

Embodiment 19
15. The apparatus of embodiment 14, wherein said force applicator further comprises a servo motor actuator for driving said push rod in said direction.

Embodiment 20
A method for making a glass sheet article, comprising:
forming a glass ribbon;
separating a glass sheet having opposite first and second major surfaces from the glass ribbon;
removing the glass sheet having a first major surface opposite the second major surface, a first side edge surface opposite the second side edge surface, and a third side edge surface opposite the fourth side edge surface; delivering to the device;
operating the removal device to place the glass sheet in a predetermined orientation;
forming a score line in said first major surface, said score line defining a boundary between a central region of said glass sheet and a peripheral portion of said glass sheet, said peripheral portion being substantially parallel to said score line and said first major surface; a step defined between one lateral edge surface;
a) moving said push bar toward a backup bar assembly so that said push bar contacts said first major surface along said peripheral portion, prior to said step of moving said push bar; wherein said push rod is spaced from said first major surface and said backup rod assembly is positioned opposite said push rod with respect to said glass sheet and spaced from said second major surface; ,
b) following step a), further moving said push bar in said direction to separate said peripheral portion from said central region along said score line;
c) following step b), further moving said push rod in said direction to capture said separated peripheral portion between said push rod and said backup rod assembly;
The method, wherein after removal of the peripheral portion, the central region constitutes the glass sheet article.

20 glass sheets 22, 24 major surfaces 30, 32, 34, 36 side edge surfaces 40, 42 bead region 44 central region 50, 52 peripheral portion 100 removal device 102 support device 104 incision device 106 force application device 108 backup bar assembly 120 , 122 clamp arm 124 primary holding plane 126, 128 clamp surface 130 suspension system 132 center line 140 notch wheel 144 nosing bar 146 notch position 150 push rod 152 base 154 drive 156 contact surface 170 drive 172 controller 176 push position 182 , 184 backup body 186, 188 engagement surface 190, 192 backup position 220 peripheral portion 222 central region 400 glass making system 410 glass ribbon forming device 412 separating device 414 conveying device 450 melting vessel 452 fining vessel 454 mixing vessel 456 delivery vessel 458 forming Machine 460 Draw Device 462 Glass Ribbon 466 Molten Glass 468 Downcomer 470 Inlet 472 Tub 474 Side 476 Bottom Edge 486 End Effector 490 Glass Sheet Article

Claims (14)

A method for removing a peripheral portion of a glass sheet, comprising:
Receiving a glass sheet having a first major surface opposite the second major surface, a first side edge surface opposite the second side edge surface, and a third side edge surface opposite the fourth side edge surface. wherein said first side edge surface, said second side edge surface, said third side edge surface, and said fourth side edge surface are in contact with said first major surface and said second major surface; and,
placing the glass sheet in a predetermined orientation by fixing the first and second major surfaces;
forming a score line in the first major surface extending from proximate the third side edge surface to proximate the fourth side edge surface, the score line extending between a central region of the glass sheet and an edge of the glass sheet. defining a boundary with a peripheral portion, said peripheral portion being defined between said score line and said first side edge surface;
a) moving said push bar toward a backup bar assembly so that said push bar contacts said first major surface along said peripheral portion, prior to said step of moving said push bar; wherein said push rod is spaced from said first major surface and said backup rod assembly is positioned opposite said push rod with respect to said glass sheet and spaced from said second major surface; ,
b) following step a), further moving said push bar in said direction to separate said peripheral portion from said central region along said score line;
c) following step b), further moving said push rod in said direction to capture said separated peripheral portion between said push rod and said backup rod assembly. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein steps a)-c) are performed successively by continuous movement of said push rod in said direction. said backup bar assembly having a first engagement surface;
Following step b) and prior to step c), further moving said push bar in said direction to bring said second major surface of said separated peripheral portion into contact with said first engagement surface. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising: 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of releasing said separate peripheral portion from said push rod and said backup rod assembly subsequent to step c). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined orientation includes the glass sheet in a generally vertical orientation. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein during said step of forming score lines, said peripheral portion has no force applied along said first and second major surfaces. A removal device for removing a peripheral portion away from a central region of a glass sheet having a first major surface opposite a second major surface, the removal device comprising:
a support device adapted to place the glass sheet in a predetermined orientation having a primary holding plane;
a scoring device adapted to form a score line in said first major surface defining a boundary between said peripheral portion and said central region;
a force application device comprising a push rod;
a backup bar assembly having a first engagement surface;
the removal device has a start-of-cycle condition in which the push rod and the first engagement surface are positioned on opposite sides of the main retaining plane;
The force applying device moves the push rod in the direction of the first engagement surface, and sequentially
causing the push rod to apply a pushing force to the first major surface at the peripheral portion to separate the peripheral portion from the central region at the score line;
causing the push bar to apply a pushing force to the first main surface of the separated peripheral portion to bring the separated peripheral portion into contact with the first engaging surface;
adapted to cause the push rod to apply a pushing force to the first major surface of the separated peripheral portion to trap the separated peripheral portion between the push rod and the backup bar assembly; , removal device. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said backup bar assembly further comprises a second engagement surface spaced from said first engagement surface. The backup bar assembly is configured such that movement of the push bar in the direction causes the separated peripheral portions to contact the first engagement surface and then the second engagement surface. 9. Device according to claim 8, arranged against a push rod. The distance between said first engagement surface and said major retention plane in a direction perpendicular to said main retention plane is less than the distance between said second engagement surface and said major retention plane in a direction perpendicular to said main retention plane. 10. Apparatus according to Item 9. The scoring device is configured and positioned relative to the support device to create a scoring line along a scoring plane that intersects the primary retaining plane at a scoring location, the first engagement surface being the first engagement surface. is maintained in a position such that an imaginary line extending from perpendicular to said primary retention plane intersects said primary retention plane at a first backup position, and said force applicator is maintained in a position such that an imaginary line extends perpendicular to said primary retention plane from 8. The apparatus of claim 7, configured to move said push rod along and positioned relative to said cutting device such that said first back-up position is between said cutting position and said pushing position. The backup bar assembly is maintained in a position such that an imaginary line extending from the second engagement surface perpendicular to the primary retention plane intersects the primary retention plane at a second backup position. 12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a surface, said push position being between said first backup position and said second backup position. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said support means comprises a suspension assembly such that said primary retaining plane is generally vertical. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said force application device further comprises a servo motor actuator for driving said push rod in said direction.

Images